Coupling for chains



F. W. ZIEMENDORF.

COUPLING FOR CHAINS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2o, 1920.

1,383,898 Patented July 5, 1921.

Mw, Z.,

attoz weg FRED W. ZIEMENDORF, F NEEN'AH, WISCONSDT.

COUPLING FOR CHAINS.

Original application led May 11, 192), Serial No. 380,558. Iivided andthis Specification of Letters Patent.

.Patented July 5, 1921.

application filed September 20, 1920. Serial No. 411,383.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FRED WV. ZIEMENDORF, acitizen of the United States, residing at Neenah, in the county of 1Vinnebago and State of Visconsin, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Couplings for Chains; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

The present invention relates to couplers for chains and thisapplication is a division of the application for patent on non-skiddevices filed Ma 11, 1920, Serial No'. 880,558.

The object oiy the invention is the provision of a novel. and improvedcoupling or fastener for conveniently attaching and securely holding theends of a chain together, in order that the terminals can not only be tpulled together tightly, but will also be held coupled without danger ofaccidental uncoupling or loosening, and the device being simple inconstruction and manufacture as well as being thoroughly practical andeiiicient in use.

tion proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangementof parts hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood thatchanges can be made within the scope of what is claimed withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein l Fiure 1 is a side elevation showing the coup er in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing'the coupler in -position as whenattaching the ends of the chain or separating same.

Figs. 3 and 4 are longitudinal and cross sections, respectively. on thelines 3-3 and 4 4 of Fig. 1.

The present device is intended for use in connecting the chains ofnon-skid devices for automobile tires, but can be used for otherpurposes,as will be readily apparent.

The coupling comprises the flat link mem- Y from one end and bent backto form a loop or eye 18 engaging a terminal link 12 of the chain.This'strap 17 is bent back to overlap the member 16, and said member hasan aperture 19 near the corresponding end, through which the terminal ofthe strap 17 extends and is then bent back toy form a hook 20, whichserves to anchor the terminal of said strap to the membery 16, toprevent the' member 16 and termina-l link of the chain from pullingapart even under a heavy strain. j

A latch 21 forms a part of the coupling, and is also preferably=composed of a iat plate or member,'being formed at one end with a hook22, and the bend of the hook 22 overlaps the opposite end of the member16 and is pivoted thereto, as at 23, permitting said latch to be swungagainst one side of the member 16 longitudinally thereof, as seen in Fig. 1. y

When the latch 21 is swung away from the member 16, as seen in F ig. 2,one of the terminal links 12 of thechai'n opposite to the other terminalto which the member 16 is connected,.can be readily passed over thelatch, and by swinging the latch toward the member 16, it serves as alever for pulling the ends of the chain toward one another withconsiderable force, whereby to tighten theA chain. The member 16 has alateral recess 24 adjacent to the pivot 23, for receiving the link ofthe chain when the lever or latch 21 overlaps the member 16 in bringingthem together. The corresponding link of the chain will therefore seatin the recess 24, and will also seat in the hook 22 whereby to securelyconnect thexends of the chain. That stop' 25 the link which is engagedby thelatch 21 moving'past the pivot 23 (or past dead center) as saidlink is moved into connection with the member 16. This arrangement, inconnection with the portions 26, will avoid accidental disconnection ofthe terminals .of the chain, but by swinging the latch 2imanually awayfrom the member slipped off of same.`

Having thus described the invention, what I, is claimed as new is Acoupling comprising a flat link member, a latch having a hook at one endoverlapping and pivoted to one end portion of said member so that thelatch can be swung against one side of said member, said link memberhaving a recess in one edge at one end near said pivot for receiving alink itted on said latch when the latch is swung against said side ofthe member, said hook being arranged for the seating of the link thereinwhen the latch is swung against the side of saidy member, `and said linkmember having a hooked stop at the opposite edge for limiting lthemovement of and receiving the latch, said member and latch having por--tions to spring into engagement near said sop when the latch is swungagainst the s op.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRED W. ZlEMENDURF. Witnesses:

E. Gr. LAMPERT, WM. CAMPBELL.

